One would be justified to believe that President Uhuru Kenyatta and businessman Jimmy Wanjigi are enemies having been on opposing sides in the 2017 elections - the latter siding with opposition leader (Raila Odinga) in the contentious polls.
A little known fact about their history is that the two acted in a play together in the 1980s.
Narrating about the time the duo were part of a 100-plus cast, veteran musician Suzanne Gachukia divulged that the two lent their talents to a play she had written titled Endless Roads.
Together with current Defence CS Raychelle Omamo, Gachukia embarked on writing a musical drama having collaborated on another work of art while in high school.
“Fresh out of high school, I teamed up with Raychelle Omamo and we wrote a musical, Endless Road. We would rehearse in my mum’s garden.
"I remember even the current President (Uhuru Kenyatta) was in the musical. I can’t remember what role he played, but I think he was a worker,” she stated in an interview with a video magazine, Cleaning The Airwaves.
Jimmy Wanjigi character was Nelson Mandela while Jimmy Kibaki played Mahatma Gandhi.
The play ran at the Kenya National Theatre for two days, Sunday 4th May and Monday 5th May 1980.
"I don't know how we got courageous to put up a show like that but we just did what we are with everyone playing their own role," Gachukia recalled.
The credits show that Gachukia co-produced the play with Njeri Gitau that was graced by then vice president Mwai Kibaki as the Guest of Honour.
Uhuru's brother, Muhoho Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta’s brother Maina Gakuo, also made part of the cast for the minor roles.
When asked about what encouraged her to have a huge ensemble and actually make the play, she stated, "We watched a lot of musicals and plays and that gave us exposure. Also, there was a team culture from being in boarding school."
Here is the video:
